Wild-haired wildcard Alex Bolt has given Australia its best start to the Australian Open in 15 years with a pulsating second round win over veteran Frenchman Gilles Simon.

Bolt saved four match points in a thrilling 2-6 6-4 4-6 7-6 (10-8) 6-4 fightback over the former world No.6 to leave fans on Court 3 in a frenzy.

With fellow wildcard Alexei Popyrin upsetting 2018 French Open finalist Dominic Thiem earlier on Thursday night, Australia now has five men and women in the last 32 at Melbourne Park for the first time since 2004.